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Challenge: Life Changes

3 Steps to loving your new "Bikini Body". Let's dive in..

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I said "Hasta la vista" to my beach bod a long time ago. It was on my Honeymoon actually, while having guacamole & Coronas on the beach in Mexico. R.I.P. teeny weeny bikini.

All I've wanted since then was a body close to the one I had on my wedding day, but who are we kidding? Most brides are in the BEST shape of their lives on that day. (Why is the wedding day body always our goal?) The fact is: I’ve been married for 10 years. I've gotten older. I've been pregnant. I've been robbed of sleep, exercise and nutrients. I want to look like a Sports Illustrated cover model. I sense a disconnect here.

There is a saying that I posted to our MomsInMedia Facebook Group recently: "Let's not be perfect. Let's just be moms."

In fact wouldn’t you rather be Mom, than perfect? Yes, me too. So now let’s tackle the whole beach body thing with our big-girl pants on. (Literally.)

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Video Image: Disney's Castaway Cay, Bahamas. See more of that day here.

We may not get back to the wedding look, or even the 1 year anniversary look (and if you have jeans from college please donate them now). I’ve interviewed a ton of gorgeous celebrities with incredible bodies and I’ve also had experts on the mic telling us about diet & exercise tricks. In all of my research here in a city with a lot of really good-lookin people, I’ve found some things that will boost your confidence, help you look better TODAY & actually have you looking forward to going to the beach again.

3 Steps to loving your new "Bikini Body": Swimsuit-Ready. Skin. Glow.

I was at my friend’s country club yesterday, and couldn’t help but to check out the moms and dads. I grabbed a good eye-full of what the trends are & how my body compares with the other mothers. Uh, it sucked. But I did it, so you don’t have to. Here’s what I took away:

Everyone is rockin’ the “tankini”. But, are they? Are they reeeeally? “Rockin”? I feel like the tankini basically announces that you’ve got something to hide under there. The floral print skirt/shorts/tank/dress/thingy is like waving the white flag of defeat. “I’m a mom who’s given up on Summer.” But on the other hand.. We can’t exactly wear a string bikini anymore, can we? Zero support. Tiny triangles. Accessorized with trucker hat and a beer. Now that’s more than just waving the white flag- That’s giving Summertime the finger.

I don’t know which way to go. Elegant? Sarong wrap knotted at the side. Wedge heels to elongate my chunky legs. Full make-up. No swimming.

OR, do I go Sporty Spice? Hair in a ponytail to say “I don’t care how I look! I’m here to play with my kids & have fun! Yeah!”

OR, do I just go slutty? All boobs. Distract them with cleavage, start ordering cocktails, and remember Summer can’t last forever..

My sources atRedbook online save me in times like these (and the leftover promotional vodka in the freezer helps) to figure out my woman problems and actually enjoy my look. Here are 25 of THE BEST swimsuit tips to find your most favorite look that works for you right now, right here.

And as far as Faux Tanning & Bikini Waxing goes.. You should say “Yes” to both. IMHO.. Tanned skin and trimmed bikini makes a mom feel like she’s still got a shot at feeling like her old self again. I think it’s actually been scientifically proven that you look 5 lbs thinner with a tan.

Get your professional wax or use a home hair remover kit (I have the Flash & Go). Buy some Tend Skin which I got from a Hollywood waxer who had Melanie Griffith’s picture up on her celebrity wall. She’s an actress I think always just emitted a super sexy energy about her. Maybe it’s the bikini wax that’s part of the reason why? I became a regular customer.

Here’s a link to my 2 favorite tans that I use before I go on camera: The Mystic spray tan Level 2 with bronzer. Stock up on Matte Body Perfection Gel Tan from Per-fekt (Get 10% off if you click this link & 25% off if you are a Perks Partner. Yay!) and I use Dr Dennis Gross Face Tanning Towels because they also exfoliate- that’s a major bonus time-saver busy moms.

Let’s welcome Summer with a big mom-hug. Love the season and this extra time it gives us with our kids. Remember that it’s what’s inside that makes the outside GLOW. If we can keep that mantra in our heads, then we will walk into the sunshine wearing a beautiful smile, which is the prettiest thing there is.

Kristin Cruz is Mom & Broadcaster in Los Angeles. See her life along the coast @Instagram

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